Search results

Electric cars represent the most energy efficient technical option available for passenger cars, compared to conventional combustion engine cars and vehicles based on fuel cells. However, this requires an efficient charging infrastructure and low carbon electricity production as well. Combustion engine cars which were converted to electric cars decreased lifecycle CO₂-equivalent emissions per passenger-km travelled down to one third of before, when powered by green electricity. However, through an analysis of 78 scientific reports published since 2010 for life cycle impacts from 18 aggregated impact categories, this chapter finds that the results are mixed. Taken together, however, the reduced environmental impacts of electric cars appear advantageous over combustion engine cars, with further room for improvement as impacts generated during the production phase are addressed. When it comes to battery components, Cobalt (Co) stands out as critical. Assessing the impact of electric cars on the local air quality, they are not ‘zero emission vehicles’. They emit fine dust due to tyre and brake abrasion and to dust resuspension from the street. These remaining emissions could be easily removed by adding an active filtration system to the undercarriage of electric vehicles. If electric cars are operated with electricity from fossil power plants nearby, the emissions of these plants need to be modelled with respect to possibly worsening the local air quality.

The chapter systematises the leading conceptual frameworks for assessing the overall performance of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs). To provide a detailed examination, a descriptive analysis of the Italian landscape has been developed. This context has been chosen to address some contradictions. Despite its long history of industrial districts, it is consistently below the European average in the Global Entrepreneurship Index (GEI). Through a comprehensive exploration, the chapter identifies the key factors that might contribute to fostering its outcomes. The economic environment, entrepreneurial cultural attitude, institutional frameworks, and resource availability, such as finance and human capital, have been explored to measure the performance of the Italian EE. This in-depth country-level analysis offers invaluable insights for practitioners, scholars, and policymakers engaged in understanding the dynamics of EEs. The findings not only shed light on the salient traits of the Italian context but also contribute to the broader academic debate on the various factors that influence entrepreneurial activity, productive entrepreneurship, and the creation of aggregate value. Upon completing the chapter, readers will be able to increase their understanding on how to measure complex systems. This knowledge enables more informed decisions and supports the creation of conducive environments. Indeed, actors living in EEs can acquire the needed tools to appraise and enhance these ecosystems effectively.

The purpose of our paper is to investigate thermal and mechanical properties of Ag sintered layers used for assembly of SiC diode to Direct Bonding Copper (DBC) interposer. How SiC devices are assembled to ceramic package defines efficiency of heat transfer and mechanical support.

Ag microparticles, sized 2-4 μm and flake shaped, were used as joining material. The parameters of sintering process were as follows: temperature 400°C, pressure 10 MPa and time 40 min. It was found that after sintering and long-term aging in air at 350°C the adhesion is in the range of 10 MPa, which is enough from a practical point of view. The thermal properties of the SiC die assembled into a ceramic package were also investigated. In the first step, the calibration of the temperature-sensitive parameter VF (IF = 2 mA) was done and the relation between VF and temperature was found. In the next step, the thermal resistance between junction and case was determined knowing junction and case temperature.

For SiC diode with Au bottom metallization joined to the DBC interposer by Ni/Au metallization by Ag microparticle layer, R_th j-c is in the range of 2-3.5°C/W, and for SiC diode with Ag bottom metallization joined to DBC interposer with Ag metallization by Ag microparticle layer, R_th j-c is in the range of 4.5-5.5°C/W.

In the future, research on thermal resistance of SiC diodes assembled onto the DBC interposer with Au and Ag metallization in the temperature range up to 350°C needs to be carried out. To do this, it necessary to find a solution for the attaches that leads to ceramic package able to work at such high temperature.

Obtained results are comparable with results mentioned by other studies for eutectic Au/Sn or SAC solder joints; however, the solution proposed by us can properly work at significantly higher temperatures.

Entrepreneurial ecosystems have become policy strategies to stimulate entrepreneurial activities, yet the current understanding underlying value creation and the factors influencing this value-capturing mechanism remains limited. In this chapter, we systematically review literature related to the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and we seek to provide a greater understanding of the value creation process within an ecosystem. The findings from our content analysis shed light on the multifaceted structures and drivers of the value creation process. The study contributes to studies and theory development in the field of entrepreneurial ecosystem literature and further advances potential future research.

This paper gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied to the analysis of ceramics and glass materials. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations on the subject that were published between 1977‐1998. The following topics are included: ceramics – material and mechanical properties in general, ceramic coatings and joining problems, ceramic composites, ferrites, piezoceramics, ceramic tools and machining, material processing simulations, fracture mechanics and damage, applications of ceramic/composites in engineering; glass – material and mechanical properties in general, glass fiber composites, material processing simulations, fracture mechanics and damage, and applications of glasses in engineering.

This work aims to explore the relationship between entrepreneurial ecosystems' (EEs) inputs and outcomes within a digital-technology-driven EE. Specifically, it focuses on how being part of an EE enhances digital technology adoption (DTA) and consequently facilitates EE outcomes.

This paper employs a single-case study approach, focusing on Italian EE. The data analysis is based on the researchers' direct observations and semi-structured interviews with the EE founders' teams and the top management of the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating therein. Given the novelty of the topic and the lack of a clear research framework of analysis, a qualitative method is well suited for studying digital-technology-driven EE, thus gaining rich data about the phenomenon in a real-life context.

The findings of the study reveal that when specific eco-inputs (financial, knowledge, social and institutional assets) are correctly exploited to enhance DTA, important outcomes, namely, SME competitiveness and new technology-based venture creation and development, are generated.

The paper contributes to a relatively unexplored topic in the existing literature on EEs and digital technology. Specifically, through the proposition of a conceptual model, it sheds light on the relationship among EE inputs, DTA and EE outcomes.

Entrepreneurial ecosystems have quickly become one of the most popular topics in entrepreneurship research. Ecosystems are the characteristics and factors of a place that support high-growth entrepreneurship. This provides the ability for the field to provide important policy insights about how to aid the development of high growth, innovative ventures, as well as generate new insights into the relationship between the entrepreneurship phenomenon and the contexts it takes place within. However, work in the field remains undertheorized, with a little understanding of how the entrepreneur benefits from being in a strong ecosystem. This chapter argues that it is helpful to return to Ed Malecki’s work in a previous volume of this series, which explored the importance of networks. His work has contributed to a very broad stream of work on entrepreneurial environment. Using this as a starting point, this chapter distinguishes between “top-down” approaches to study ecosystems, which focus on the actors and factors that make up an ecosystem, and a “bottom-up” approach, which instead examines the ways in which entrepreneurs use their ecosystem to get the resources, knowledge, and support they need. The chapter concludes by suggesting how a research agenda for a bottom-up study of ecosystems can be informed by Malecki’s work.

Similar to other countries of former Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is still regarded to be a transitional economy, both from the social, political, and economic perspectives. In this regard, it is important to note that political agendas and economic strategies are still not satisfactory for the development of entrepreneurial activities. There are serious deficiency issues in regard to entrepreneurship ecosystem in BiH. This chapter describes 10 elements of the entrepreneurial ecosystem (EES) and their implications on the EES outlook of BiH.

This study explores the feasibility of substituting freshwater with alternative water sources such as potable water (PW), harvested rainwater (HRW), stormwater (SW), borewell water (BW) and seawater (Sea W) in concrete manufacturing. The aim is to evaluate the potential of these alternative sources to support sustainable development, reduce environmental impact and conserve freshwater resources in the construction industry.

The research followed established concrete production standards and evaluated the chemical properties of various water sources. Fresh concrete characteristics, including setting time, workability and mechanical properties (compressive, split tensile and flexural strength), were tested at 7, 28 and 90 days. Durability assessments utilized the Volhard assay for chloride content, RCPT for chloride permeability and a physical sulfate attack test. Additionally, a life cycle assessment (LCA) examined the environmental impacts, while an economic analysis assessed cost implications for each water source.

The results showed only minor differences of 2%–3% in the fresh and mechanical properties of concrete using alternative water sources, with no significant changes in compressive, tensile or flexural strength compared to potable water. The Rapid Chloride Penetration Test (RCPT) and Nord Test techniques showed that all water sources, except seawater, are suitable for concrete mixing, as they enhance concrete durability due to their very low chloride ion concentrations, which minimize the risk of steel corrosion. The sulfate attack, including mass loss and expansion measurements for various water sources, indicates low susceptibility to except seawater. SEM and EDS HRW and SW also showed denser microstructures compared to Potable Water, indicating the absence of voids or cracks and the formation of ettringite needles, while seawater posed challenges due to high chloride content and corrosion risks. The LCA indicated that SW had the lowest environmental impact, while seawater posed substantial challenges. The economic analysis confirmed SW as the most cost-effective option, with all sources meeting production standards except seawater.

This study provides new insights into the sustainable use of non-potable water sources in concrete manufacturing. It demonstrates the viability of using HRW, SW and BW as alternative water sources to potable water, supporting sustainability goals in construction while conserving vital freshwater resources and reducing environmental impact.